Step by Step Blogging for WAHMs
Welcome new blogger!
Blogging is the most popular way to get your content for your business or personal ideas out to the general masses on the internet.
But what is a blog? It started as a “weblog” back in the old days, the 90′s! That breaks down to “web” and “log”. A log or journal on the web. Meaning it is in chronological order. That’s simple. As if weblog isn’t short enough, it needed to be shortened to “blog”. And there we are, the easiest, fastest, most economic way to get your point across on the web.
When I started blogging I wish someone would have just given me a list and said start here. Either I couldn’t find that information or it just doesn’t exist. Who knows. I am here to let you know what steps I took and the order in which I did them in.
I decided to make this a series. I researched my notes and like a journal they tell me what steps I took and when. I am going to share what I did and hopefully catch up to what I am doing now.
Below are the very basic first steps. Take your time, don’t rush. I rushed into blogging and social networking quickly and became confused. Get to know each section and then move on when you are comfortable.
Grab my FREE Blogging Check List Here to help you every step of the way
Let’s start. Numbers 1 & 2 happen simultaneously, to have a host you need a platform to let the host know where your blog’s content will be going.
1. Domain Name and Host
Register your domain name and find a host for your blog’s files, images, plug-ins and anything else you put within your blog. I use Bluehost who registered my domain name and hosts my blog. There are companies you can go to that will only register your blog domain name and you will need to find a separate company to host your blog but, honestly, they are few and far between. Most companies do both now.
2. Blog Platform
WordPress and Blogger are the most popular platforms in blogging. There are many others but as of today most bloggers use one of the 2 above. I decided to have a blog powered by WordPress.
WordPress has many more options in terms of themes and plug-ins. (Side note: WordPress.com is the platform for people that have WordPress host their blog. The link will be look like : “www.blog.wordpress.com“. It is free to have a blog hosted by WordPress.com, but it is mandatory you have the WordPress name within your domain name. On the other hand, WordPress.org is for blogs with their domain hosted elsewhere and the blog, aka domain, name will be without the “wordpress” in it. Like “www.ramblingsofawahm.com“. )
3. Get an Email
Get a separate email from your personal one. Preferably one that encompasses your domain name. This is especially important if you are starting or running a business through your blog. Gmail is a great place to start also.
It is very easy to set up an email:
4. Start Writing
This seems odd without your blog looking absolutely perfect but I am going to tell you from experience, start writing posts immediately. Have content. Content is king. (Blog cliche, sorry.) Your blog can be the best looking blog on the block but nobody will come and stay to read if there is no content. You do not need to post what you write yet but have a few posts written and ready for your launch.
Bloggers: What REALLY is Good Content?
If you want to post right away that is fine also. You do not need to wait to officially launch your blog. I do recommend having content take precedence over the appearance of your blog for one main reason, Google doesn’t care what your blog looks like; it doesn’t care if you have ponies and kitties or award winning graphics. Google will care about how old your content is. The older your blog, the more authority you have in Google’s eyes. Think of it as setting down roots. So post away and fix the appearance as you go.
Helpful Resources:
Probloggers Guide to the First Week of Blogging eBook
31 Days to a Better Blog eBook
Read next:
Step #2 Getting Social
The Whole Series:
- #1 New Bloggers Start Here 4 simple starting out guidelines.
- #2 Getting Social Starting BIG yet SLOW is the key for beginners.
- #3 Content is King But Appearance Rules Does your blog look awesome?
- #4 Submitting Your Blog to Search Engines Don’t wait for the search engines to find you, let them know you exist.
- #5 WP Plugins for New Blogs Plugins We Can’t Blog Without
- #6 Email List Building Harness the Love. Start your newsletter/email list as soon as possible.
- #7 Image Essentials for New Bloggers Places to Find Free and Inexpensive But Quality Images for your Blog
- #8 Tedious Yet Necessary Blog Chores We Love Blogging But Hate the Necessary Chores (They still need to be done.)
- #9 Reaching Your Blog Goals BLOG GOALS–>PLAN–>SCHEDULE–>ACTION
- #10 The End of the Series…But the Beginning of a Journey Tips and references to start your blogging journey
Latest posts by Allie (see all)
- Protecting Your WAHM Blog and Business Follow Up - May 23, 2013
- Getting Closer to Your Readers and Customers with an Email List - May 21, 2013
- Getting More Fans by Linking Your Facebook Page to Your Profile - May 16, 2013
Welcome! I'm Allie. I help WAHMs get their businesses noticed online. Feel free to look around. New here? Check out 
Hi Allie
I found your site through the debate on think traffic about leaving comments, so I thought i’d connect with you and leave a comment.
I also love the “get writing” advice. To me, it’s become one of my most important skills as a business owner.
Funnily enough, the more you write, the better your writing gets too.
Chris @ Small Business Unleashed created this awesome post: Are you Attracting or Pursuing
Chris,
Thanks for coming by, I love comments and my blog thrives on them. I found the debate over at Think Traffic interesting. I will probably venture back there soon to see what has developed.
Yes, the get writing part is my advise to me. I was so worried about how my blog looked, social media and SEO i wasn’t writing! How stupid! Now I try to get 2 posts up a week. It doesn’t matter how often you posts as long as it is consistant, usually.
And so true, the more you write the better you get, I have noticed that also. I find, too, the more I read other blogs the better I write.
THX again!
i’m just in the beginning stages of trying to blog. After two days of wandering around the internet from site to site, I’m exhausted! And I haven’t written a damn thing yet. And then, it was like the sky opened up, and you were there! You have written the absolute best explanation of all this to a true newbie who knows zip about the internet. I now feel like I’m close to being able to pursue this with a lot more confidence. Thanks! I’ll come back to give you my domain thingy when I get one.
Linda
You made my day! Everything seemed to be going wrong for me today and then you comment! You really did put the first smile on my face.
I am so glad you stopped by. Everything I post here I have done or used. And I know what it feels like to be a lost newbie. I literally learn something new everyday, that can be exciting AND overwhelming. Be patient (as I tell you this, I cried half the day because nothing was working right for me online) and good things will come.
Come back and leave your link. In the mean time connect with me on Twitter so we can keep in touch. @allierambles.
I like how you bold text that you want to emphasize. Catches the eye. It’s elementary, but I can’t say I’ve seen it used much. I’m going to start doing that more. Can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Where’s the link to #2 in the series? Pls make it easier to find so you don’t lose readers.
itauditsecurity created this awesome post: How Botnet Trends are Changing
Thx. I put the links to the other posts in the series. It was on my to do list and then that list got lost in the shuffle. lol. Thanks for the reminder.
allie
i felt the same way when i started blogging. most of the information that i found was not wrote for the complete novice. most of the information assumed you knew the basics and used a lot of jargon i didnt understand. i began to write simple articles on pieces of the pie that i thought should be supplied. why you need a domain and web host provider and articles similar to this one. thanks for putting it out there. you will be surprised how many hits you receive on the simple things in blogging.
Thanks for coming by!
So true. When I started I found bits and pieces here and there on blogging basics. It is easy to figure out how to write a post and then publish it, and then what? Do I post it to Twitter? Do I cross my fingers and hope for people to come? No. After you post you find social media and great keywords (I will start to post about this soon), etc. You think of what to write next. You enhance your blog even more with widgets and plugins. The first 3-6 months all you do is learn. Blogging is so in depth but fun!
Ooooo….I just love posts on blogging and am excited to read the other posts you’ve put together for this series!
Can I add something – before #1, get your site’s domain, etc.? RESEARCH!! Find out who’s already in the niche you’re thinking of. Google extensively to ensure your name isn’t the same or similar to someone else’s (can’t stress this enough). I have seen several bloggers in my niche set up blogs that infringe on trademarks. Not a great way to start out.
I also want to say “AMEN” to your thoughts on content. I always cringe when I see new bloggers scanty on content, but heavy on affiliate sidebar banners….
OK off to see what else you’ve written now!
Angela R created this awesome post: Top ten Albertsons Twice the Value deals
Angela,
What an awesome tip. Actually it is not just a tip, it is a must do. I can’t believe I left that out. I guess I was thinking technical like set up.
Those new bloggers won’t last, I hate to say that. They will get bored with blogging because they are not in it to write but to try and make money. Making money is a great thing online but you need a good foundation to build it on.
Thanks for you comment.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Get to writing. This is so crucial. I remember the many blogs that I had online for ages that I just left. If only I would have put my heart into some of the blogs – and started writing. I think they would have had much more success than what they achieved.
Christian Hollingsworth created this awesome post: 5 Secret Steps To Make A Fortune Online
Christian,
I think sometimes people start blogs and forget you have to enjoy writing. You don;t necessarily need to be a writer but enjoy placing words down to publish openly. After a while those that don’t like doing that leave their blogs. That is part of the reason that out of the cazillion blogs out there, only a few make it past their first year.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Love it lady! I, too, wish someone had held my hand and helped me along!
Galit Breen created this awesome post: The Red Dress Club- Red
Galit,
You can, you just need to pay them.
The info is out there for free but it takes a while to find it.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Hey I wish I’d found your blog sooner! I’d get through all these tutorials first instead of wondering along the way. Really helpful tips here. Thanks!
Mama, Hear Me Roar created this awesome post: My love of cloth diapers
Mama,
Thank you for coming by. It is hard to find tutorials that give some detail. I tried to do just that. I hope it helps.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Twitter, My Twitter Tool Box One Year In the Making
I have been blogging for about 2 yrs but don’t really have the traffic to show for it. Thanks for your post because it motivates me to write more content to atract more readers, I always post giveaways and I need more content to also let the readers know more about me.
I have a question,, I want to switch over to GoDaddy but if I do the switch would I loose all my posts and my blog design? Will my URL change and still direct readers to my same blog content?
I love your series,,I will keep reading because it’s such helpful information and I appreciate it!
Thanks,
Shannon
Shannon’s Tales of Motherhood created this awesome post: Birthday Party
Shannon,
I am a little late replying to you and I apologize. i am going to assume you already got the answer to your question. But..
You shouldn’t lose anything. I would speak directly with GoDaddy and they will walk you through the transition.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
I always wish I had more of guides before actually starting! I mean I figured out things AFTER months of coming in and that hurt sometimes! This post is very helpful!
Sorted, easy and simple!
Hajra created this awesome post: Will they call you over for a Bloggers Party?
Hajra,
I feel the same way. The think is the info is out there, it is just hard to weed through what is good and what is rubbish. This is particularly hard when you start, you just don’t know yet who to trust. We know now.
But how long did that take?
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
It took me almost a year to understand the importance of moving out of a free platform and for my blog’s anniversary a techie friend gifted me the site! And helped me through many things! But yes, I still feel I need to learn more. Did you feel lost in the beginning?
Hajra created this awesome post: Will they call you over for a Bloggers Party?
Allie its your another awesome post! really meaningfull post Thanks for sharing if you have sometime please check my post link is in CommentLuv.
Ajnabii created this awesome post: Ultimate Guide For A Successful Blogging
You have explained everything very nicely. When one starts blogging, its pretty hard and most people don’t know where to start. Writing is perhaps the easy part. Getting a domain name, setting hosting up and setting up wordpress and other technical aspects are the most difficult things to do. Once that is set, then the writing starts. Thanks for wonderful post.
Shalu Sharma created this awesome post: How to make money with Google Adsense
You can even start writing before you do the technical host stuff. For instance, I know a writer who asked someone else to make the site, and started writing huge blogposts before it was even online. I don’t know if it’s a good idea, but her blog was pretty filled up when it was just released.
Menno Bos created this awesome post: vergelijk parkeren schiphol
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